Buffalo Bills News - May 11, 2002

Saimes at home with Texans post [8:26 AM]Canton Repository reports:
'He had squeezed 10 years and 22 interceptions out of pro secondaries in Buffalo and Denver. George Saimes’ next move was pretty obvious. An old Canton friend who wound up as head coach of the Bills volunteered a key clue. “If it’s coaching,” Hank Bullough advised, “be prepared to move.”'

Cats lure former Bills' pivot to camp [7:10 AM]Hamilton Spectator reports:
'Buffalo's loss may be Hamilton's gain when Bills' castoff quarterback Pete Gonzalez makes his way over the border to the Tiger-Cats' training camp in St. Catharines next month. The Tiger-Cats announced yesterday that Gonzalez, who has seen limited play with three National Football League teams since 1998, will become the fourth quarterback in camp this season.'

Riemersma's future still debatable [5:41 AM]D and C reports:
'"I think some of the things with Jay unfortunately got blown out of proportion, " Donahoe said. "I've seen his name in various places as a cap casualty but that's not coming from us. We expect him to be here and we expect him to be an important part of our team." The key word is "expect."'

May 10, 2002

Dr Z's grade of 1997 draft - 5 years late [11:34 PM]CNN/SI reports:
DE Marcellus Wiley in the second round was their best pick and he left via free agency. No one else remains, including their No. 1, RB Antowain Smith, who never quite cut it with the Bills, and a couple of linemen who were occasional starters but not very effective, Jamie Nails and Marcus Spriggs. Grade ... D

Jim Haslett likely to recommend Tom Modrak for the general manager of Saints [11:12 PM]ESPN reports:
To ensure that he has a shot at lasting beyond this season, look for Haslett to suggest Benson consider Buffalo director of football operations Tom Modrak for the GM post. Modrak is a friend of Haslett, and when he was in Philadelphia, recommended the Eagles hire him in 1999, before club officials decided on Andy Reid as the guy. Modrak is a terrific football man and he would bring instant respect to the seemingly directionless Saints.

Bills Backers Focus-Florida Style [4:32 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
The Space Coast Bills Backers recently held their 5th Annual Spring Fling Picnic in Kiwanis Park on Merritt Island, Florida. The picnic is held for club members every year, just before the "snow bird" friends return to the Buffalo area for the summer.

Sponsor to see Bills through camp [9:04 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Bausch & Lomb, which markets products in 100 countries, already had a three-year business partnership with the Bills. But being the sponsor of training camp gives the company a chance to enhance its visibility, said Mark M. Sieczkarek, Bausch & Lomb's senior vice president and president of The Americas Region.'

Bills and B&L see eye-to-eye [5:06 AM]D and C reports:
'Bausch & Lomb replaces Wegmans Food Markets, Inc., which dissolved its marketing partnership with the Bills earlier this year after its request to scale back and sponsor training camp only was rebuffed by the team. Tops Friendly Markets has since become the club's official supermarket but its contract didn't include naming rights to the camp like Wegmans had. That opened the door for Bausch & Lomb.'

B&L to sponsor Bills training camp [5:05 AM]Rochester Business Journal reports:
'“It’s an excellent way to bring the message of the importance of eye health to the many young people at the camp and the fans who follow the Bills,” he said.'

Bills announce new training camp sponsor [5:04 AM]WHEC-TV reports:
'The third training camp at St. John Fisher begins July 24th when rookies are scheduled to report. The rest of the team will arrive on Friday July 26th. The Bills also be holding a scrimmage with the Cleveland Browns at Fisher August 3rd.'

Bausch and Lomb and Buffalo Bills Team Up for Training Camp [5:03 AM]WROC-TV reports:
'Under the deal, the camp at St. John Fisher will be known as the Buffalo Bills Bausch and Lomb training camp. And they're adding a unique feature this year. B&L will provide vision screening to kids who attend.'

B&L And Bills Make It Official [5:02 AM]WOKR-TV reports:
'Mark Sieczkarek, Bausch & Lomb Senior V.P., said, "[The partnership] reflects a commitment to our community. We haven't been as active in the community given the issues that we've been facing, and we want to get back out there and be seen and heard certainly by our employees and by the community itself."'

Introducing the Buffalo Bills Bausch & Lomb Summer Training Camp [5:01 AM]Bausch & Lomb reports:
'Buffalo Bills President and General Manager Tom Donahoe said, “Bausch & Lomb is a name brand that is respected around the world. We are privileged to have the opportunity to work together as partners in training camp. In addition to the wonderful things we are planning on the marketing front, the opportunities we have to work within the community are equally exciting."'

Familiar Neighborhood For LB Eddie Robinson [10:05 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
When the Bills acquired the 10-year veteran this off-season, they got more than just an average NFL linebacker. The 6-1, 243-pound Robinson brings the Bills experience, leadership and a vast knowledge of the defensive philosophy that head coach Gregg Williams and defensive coordinator Jerry Gray brought from the Tennessee Titans.

Robinson, Moore answer age-old questions [9:05 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"There was a time when I first went to camp in Miami that I had an ashtray in my locker because they were coming off the old school where they used camp to get in shape," Moore said. "Now you have to be ready to go full steam when you come into camp."'

Bills' Irons investing in dream now [9:04 AM]Nashville Tennessean reports:
'Irons passed up an offer to enter General Electric's Incoming Leadership Program, which would have directed him into management level at the company, to sign with the Bills. ''This guy is going to be a success no matter what he does, whether it's football or otherwise,'' Buffett said. ''He has a good attitude toward life. He handles himself well. You just feel good about him and his future.'''

His tackles really smart [5:07 AM]D and C reports:
'Luring Robinson away from the Titans -- they made him a similar $750,000 base-salary offer to stay -- was a coup for Buffalo's coaches. In Robinson, they landed a cerebral player who knows the complicated "46" scheme as well as they do, someone who can explain things to others in the huddle where they can't be.'

Bausch & Lomb to sponsor Bills' camp [5:05 AM]D and C reports:
'Rochester-based Bausch & Lomb Inc., will be the new title sponsor of Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College.'

Question: Which team's draft intrigued you the most? [7:31 PM]profootballweekly.com reports:
Andy Hanacek, Associate editor
Pick: Buffalo Bills
We all know that picking Texas OT Mike Williams was a safe call, and the fact that it also filled a major need makes it a great pick for the Bills in my book. Picking Williams (and signing free-agent Trey Teague) allows them to shift last year?s rookie surprise, Jonas Jennings, inside to guard.

Patriots' source batters Bledsoe, says he may bounce back [7:30 PM]Pro Football Weekly reports:
By the end of the Pete Carroll-era, Bledsoe seemed to be a 9-to-5 guy playing the game for the money and had no passion. He said Bledsoe was emotionless and a zombie at times. The source also said that very often in key situations, Bledsoe seemed to go almost brain dead.

Porter to sign one-year deal with Pats [7:29 PM]ESPN reports:
His longest stint was with the Buffalo Bills (1998-2000), where he played well for the Bills in "nickel" and "dime" situations. Many observers felt he was among the best of the defensive backs in the Miami camp last summer, but he was nonetheless released before the start of the regular season.

TE Dave Moore Talks About Upcoming Season [4:07 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
On two tight end sets: "The strong points of Coach Gilbride's offense is his ability to mold the offense to his personnel so we'll see how it goes. I would like to be a big part of it but we all have to try to win ball games so we'll see how it's going to unfold."

European vacation [9:14 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"I just wanted to come over here and play well," he said. "I'm just glad that the Buffalo Bills have given me the chance to do this with them signing me and sending me over here. I want to show them what I can do and what I have to offer."'

Roth Returns To NFL With Kansas City [9:12 AM]Jamestown Post Journal reports:
'Roth appeared to be on his way to a fullback job with the Bills under then-coach Wade Phillips, but Phillips was then fired and, after a training-camp injury, Roth was later cut by new Bills coach Gregg Williams prior to the 2001 season. ‘‘Sure he was discouraged,’’ Roth’s father said of being let go by the Bills. ‘‘The other coaching staff almost promised him a fullback job. Then he went to training camp and got hurt, so they let him go.’’'